Feds to start prison needle-exchange program to curb spread of disease – National

Two prisons in Canada will be trialing a new prison needle-exchange program aimed at lowering the risk of spreading disease associated with drug use, according to Correctional Services Canada (CSC) and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

The first phase of the program at one women’s prison and one men’s prison, will start in June, officials said on May 14 in a release. The union of correctional officers said the prisons were located in New Brunswick and Ontario.

Officials from CSC say they know there’s a “prevalence of substance use problems” among inmates.

They say the program is based on “harm reduction” and is hoping to “facilitate referral” of prisoners to addiction and health-care services for inmates. These types of programs are recommended by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

HIV and AIDS activists lauded the program, saying it’s something they’ve asked for over 20 years.

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“Today’s announcement by the Government of Canada reflects a significant concession by the federal government on the importance of [these programs],” the release from Sandra Ka Hon Chu, director of research at the Canadian HIV & AIDS Legal Network, read.

“Canada must act quickly to implement this program in all prisons.”

According to statistics from the federal government, the rate of HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C virus) in prisons is 1.2 per cent and 7.8 per cent, respectively. Compare that to the general public, where 0.006 per cent of the public has HIV and another 0.03 per cent have HCV.

“While CSC has measures in place to prevent drugs from entering institutions, it recognizes that drugs on occasion will make their way into its penitentiaries. Recognizing this reality, it has a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of those under its care,” Bardsley wrote in an email.

Another concern of the union’s? Threat assessment.

“What will correctional officers be called upon to do when an inmate is about to inject themselves with a needle provided by CSC? Watch them do it or enter the cell to prevent it from happening?” Godin asked.

Officials from CSC say the Threat Risk Assessment model, currently used for prisoners with EpiPens and diabetic insulin, can be modified for the needle-exchange program.